Ugandan social media influencer Chicken Chicken, real name Antony Katongole, has issued a public apology to the people of Rwanda following backlash over comments he made about the country during and after a recent visit.

Katongole, who recently toured Rwanda, shared his experience through a TikTok video and later elaborated during a YouTube podcast interview with Sakozi Farouk. While he praised certain aspects of the Rwandan system, his remarks comparing the country to Uganda sparked heated debate among netizens from both nations.

In his commentary, Chicken Chicken acknowledged several positives about Rwanda, stating:

“The system works. The laws are followed. The roads are better than Uganda’s. And unlike in Uganda, weed is strictly prohibited.”

However, he also made controversial claims, noting that Rwanda is “not as developed as portrayed in the media.” He pointed out that the country has only one KFC outlet, located in Kigali, and criticized the size of roads, which he said justifies the country’s strict 60km/h speed limit. He also claimed Rwandan apartments are less visually appealing than those in Uganda and noted the scarcity of luxury cars.

These comments ignited strong reactions online, with many Rwandans and Ugandans accusing him of disrespect and making uninformed comparisons.

In response to the backlash, Chicken Chicken has since apologized to the Rwandan community, stating that his intention was not to demean the country but to offer a personal reflection based on his experience. He expressed admiration for Rwanda’s orderliness and emphasized that his comments were not meant to stir division.

Did u go there to list the bad things in rwanda , and do u think the people who wanted to go there will go , your just a shaming rwanda tourism

— Rangira David (@RangiraDav91552) June 16, 2025

All what you said is the bitter truth, why are you even apologising? Let them come out and challenge everything you said, there's one KFC restaurant in the whole country. What's wrong with it, and if it's not true who else has the right figures?

— William Mubiru Kayondo. (@William09914459) June 17, 2025

2/3. Rwanda, though landlocked with limited natural resources, has transformed through hard work and effective resource management. Comparing it to others or highlighting negatives without context disrespects this progress.

— Jallow kai (@BravoshanU84010) June 18, 2025